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Stramaccioni: We were lucky to win

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni conceded his side were fortunate to overcome Palermo 1-0 in the Serie A on Sunday.

An own goal by Santiago Garcia in the 74th minute was what ended up separating the two sides, despite the visitors putting in a brave performance.

And Stramaccioni admits his side could have produced a better display.

"At times like this, when we're not at our best, I like the attitude of the team and the consistent performance," Stramaccioni told reporters.

"We gave everything and created some clear-cut chances, but we faded somewhat in the second [half].

"The goal made everything easier, especially with our forward line under so much pressure.

"Palermo leave very little space, but with [Freddy] Guarin we had another option."

When asked about Wesley Sneijder's position at the club, the Inter coach continued: "Being coach of Inter involves working on the pitch and away from it, just like any team. It's my job to pick the best team available, and at the moment I'm not picking him.

"This has nothing to do with his contract, I have to select the team and Inter come first. It's not a case of the president [Massimo Moratti] telling me not to pick Sneijder, I pick the team."

Javier Zanetti echoed his coach's view, saying: "Fortunately we scored a goal which allowed us to grab the three points. We tried everything we could to win what was a very tricky contest."

Inter are currently in third place, four points of adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus, and face second-placed Napoli next weekend.

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Stramaccioni wants more ruthless Inter

Head coach Andrea Stramaccioni has called on Inter Milan to pick up more points against the smaller teams ahead of their clash with Palermo.

Stramaccioni's side have managed just one point in their past three games against mid-table clubs Parma, Cagliari and Atalanta and need a win against Palermo to stay in touch with Serie A-leaders Juventus.

Inter are fourth on 28 points ahead of Sunday's game, behind third-placed Fiorentina on goal difference, while Juventus have 32 points at the top of Serie A.

"Inter Milan has defeated the best two teams of this league, that is Juventus and Fiorentina, producing two great performances," Stramaccioni said.

"This has given us the awareness of our potential.

"We have defeated the league leaders and the team which is said to be playing the best football in Serie A and this has given us confidence.

"But we have lost points against the smaller teams.

"I believe tomorrow's match will allow us to understand if we have only had a difficult blip in form, which can happen."

Stramaccioni believes the absence of games since Inter's 1-0 loss to Parma on Monday has given him enough time to fine tune his team for the match against Palermo.

"This week has been one of the best weeks since the beginning of the championship," Stramaccioni said.

"We have managed to work without a match in the middle of the week and without the national teams playing.

"The training and the job on the pitch is extremely important.

"Such a week is very uncommon for Inter Milan: we have even managed to have a double training session."